BAGUIO CITY – Former City Councilor Lilia G. Yaranon formally took her oath of office before Rep. Nicasio M. Aliping, Jr. in order to formally occupy the vacant seat in the city council that was caused by the implementation of the law of succession following the untimely death of Vice Mayor Daniel T. Farinas last year.
Yaranon was appointed by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to take the place of party mate Vice Mayor Edison R. Bilog who lawfully assumed the post of Vice Mayor after the death of Farinas allowing the ruling Liberal Party (LP) where he belongs to make the nomination for his replacement.
Yaranon, 83, is the wife of retired Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge and former City Mayor Braulio D. Yaranon and served as city councillor for three consecutive terms from 1992-2001.
In an interview after her oathtaking, Yaranon cited that her appointment to serve the unexpired term of her position illustrates that senior citizens continue to have a place in the bureaucracy and that she will perform her assigned duties and responsibilities as appointed member of the local legislative body.
She said she will first try to adjust to the present situation in the city council and will seriously evaluate the matters referred to the committee that will be given to her in order for her to be able to issue significant policy statements.
Yaranon said she will continue to advocate for the promotion of women’s rights and the under privileged in order to improve their living condition through the adoption of appropriate programs that will be undertaken by the local government.
According to her, she will continue to be an anti-gambling advocate and criticized the members of the city council for railroading the approval of the pending application of an electronic bingo operator to establish a gaming station along Marcos highway.
She reiterated her stand against the privatization of the 247-hectare John Hay Special Economic Zone by the State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) considering that ordinary people of the city will be deprived entry to the former …American military base.
Yaranon’s appointment papers were transmitted by the Office of the President to the local legislative body for their information, guidance and ready reference.
Under the provisions of the Local Government, the political party that caused the vacancy in the local legislative body shall nominate the replacement of the one that caused the vacancy for the subsequent appointment to be made by the President.
The replacement of Bilog in the city council was controversial within the ranks of the LP in the city after his group recommended for the appointment of Mark Go while Aliping worked out the appointment of Yaranon to the vacant council position.
Yaranon called on city officials to continue working together for them to be able to craft more programs and projects that will be beneficial to the greater majority of the people considering that they have to prove their worth as public servants willing to sacrifice and implement the needed reforms in the bureaucracy in the future.
By Dexter A. See
